Kevin Maimann, Edmonton Sun

For Dr. Yann Brouillette, his chemistry studies and love of superheroes have always been inextricably linked.

“Chemistry started about 400 B.C., where Plato said the four elements are fire, water, air, earth. It’s the same thing at Marvel comics – the first superhero team was the Fantastic Four, and they represent the four elements,” he said.

Brouillette was at the Telus World of Science Thursday to deliver a special presentation, The Chemistry of Super Heroes and Super Villains.

The Montreal chemist uses real science to analyze super powers and the extraordinary feats achieved by superheroes and their mortal enemies in comic books and movies.

His lighthearted look at the rationale behind comics takes some of the fiction out of science fiction.

“It’s a lot easier to get people engaged in science if you’re using superhero or supervillain facts,” Brouillette said.